Mr. Bundy moved to suspend the rules and read Senate bill No. 10 a second time now by its title. The ayes and noes being taken under the constitution, Those who voted in the affirmative were, Messrs. Bingham, Brucker, Bryan, Bundy, Campbell, Cason, Collins of Adams, Combs, Crain, Davis, Dobbins, Edson, Epperson, Erwin, Feagler, Ferguson, Fisher, Fleming, Ford, Fordyce, Fraley, Gifford, Goar, Hall, Haworth, Hayes, Henricks, Horton, Howard, Hudson, Hurd, Jones of Tippecanoe, Jones of Vermillion, Jones of Wayne, Kendrick, Kitchen, Knowlton, Lods, Lane, Lee, Lightner, McClurg, McLean, Moss, Mutz, Nebeker, Orr, Packard, Parrett, Pitts, Polk, Prow, Prosser, Ragan, Robbins, Sherman, Smith of Bartholomew, Trier, Thomas, Turner, Veatch, Warrum, Wells, Williams, Wilson, Woodhull and Mr. Speaker-67. No one voting in the negative. So the rules were suspended and Senate bill No. 10 was read a second time by its title, and referred to Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Bundy, from the Committee on the Judiciary, asked and obtained leave to make the following report: MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred House bill No. 20, introduced by Mr. Henricks, entitled "an act to repeal an act entitled 'an act to authorize the construction of levees and drains,' have had the same under consideration, and have directed me to report said bill back to the House, and recommend that it lie on the table. As Legislation on the subject appeared necessary, the Committee have instructed me to report the accompanying bill, and recommend its passage. an act House bill No. 32. A bill supplemental to an act entitled " to authorize the construction of levees and drains," approved June 12, 1852. Was read a first time and passed to a second reading. Mr. Fisher asked and obtained leave to introduce House bill No. 33. A bill appointing a Board of Subsistence Commissioners, and defining their duties and defining the duties of certain offices therein mention, and prescribing the punishment for the violation of the provisions of this act. Which was read a first time and passed to a second reading. * Mr. Sherman moved to take up the Governor's message covering communication from Directors of the Northern State Prison. Message from the Governor by his Secretary: MR. SPEAKER: I am directed by the Governor to lay before your Body the following message: To the General Assembly of the State of Indiana: The accompanying communication has been made to me by the Directors and Board of Control of the Northern Indiana State Prison, which I herewith transmit to the General Assembly, that such action may be taken as in your wisdom the exigencies of the case may demand. O. P. MORTON, Governor. INDIANAPOLIS, May 2, 1861. Gov. O. P. MORTON: The undersigned Directors and Board of Control of the Northern Indiana State Prison, met at Michigan City on the 22d of March, and organized, having previously to that time been qualified. We did not expect, under the appropriation, to be able to do any considerable amount of work in constructing or completing the Prison, but supposed that by rigid economy we would be able to maintain the one hundred and twenty-two convicts, (taking into consideration those whose term of service expires,) and do something in the work of the Prison. To do this, however, it was absolutely necessary for us to control the entire amount of the appropriation, and to appropriate every dollar of the same to the current expenses of the Prison, incurred under our administration. You are aware the entire amount of the appropriation amounted to $25,000, for each of the years of 1861 and 1862, $15,000 of which was to be applied in the payment of salaries and maintaining prisoners and $10,000 for the purchase of materials. To our surprise, we found, a few days before our first meeting, that over $6,200 of the appropriation had been paid out on order of our predecessors, leaving us $18,800 with which to pay salaries, maintain prisoners, and furnish materials up to Feb. 1, 1862, at which time it is held the fiscal year commences, which sum is obviously largely inadequate for that purpose. By rigid economy the legal, legitimate and absolute expenses of the Prison per month can not be less than $2,500, which sum only includes officers' salar ies, expense of guards and Board, gateage fees, and maintenance of prisoners; showing that the $15,000 appropriation for that purpose, had we controlled the entire amount thereof, is just half sufficient. The $10,000 appropriated for materials for each of the years of 1861 and 1862 may be sufficient for the construction of the halls and stone work now contemplated, and necessary. There are now in the Prison one hundred and twelve convicts, which number will be reduced on the first day of January next, to seventy-three. The entire number are, as a general rule, inefficient and worthless in all of the departments of labor and mechanism required in and about constructing said Prison, about twenty-five of whom are a worthless and sickly set, and were so when transported from Jeffersonville. We would like some law allowing us to return this last number to Jeffersonville, and exchange them for good mechanics, laborers, &c. We could employ and maintain about one hundred and fifty convicts more, and without any additional expense of officers, or much additional guard fees, and greatly economise in provisions, supplies, &c. If an act can be passed at the present session allowing us Directors to select from the convicts of the Jeffersonville Prison this number of able-bodied mechanics and laborers, we confidently believe, with an appropriation of at least $30,000 for each of the years 1861 and 1862, we can maintain the prisoners, pay salaries, &c., erect the walls, and put the Prison in an advanced state of completion. We do not ask for the appropriation of $30,000 thinking that a less amount will do, but believing that sum absolutely necessary under the most rigid and economical calculation we can make. Unless some means of this character set forth can be devised and passed during the present session of the Legislature, we see no way of doing much towards the construction of the Prison, or the prudent use of the amount already appropriated. If the financial condition of the State will not allow the money to be paid out of the treasury, we have assurances of being able to effect a loan thereof on favorable terms if an appropriation is made. Yours respectfully, H. HANNA, On motion by Mr. Sherman, The message and accompanying communication were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. Horton offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, a member of this House has received a threatening communication, purporting to have come from an organization known as the "Vigilance Committee," of this city; and whereas, publications have been made in the newspapers of this city showing that some of its objects are to determine, in usurpation of the authority of the State and Federal Governments, what articles are to pass through the depots of this city as legitimate commerce, and what are to be obstructed as contraband of war; also to establish a censorship over the press of the city, dictating what articles shall appear, and usurping the lawful authority in determining what sentiment shall constitute sedition or treason; also that said organization has had a tender of an organization of troops known as the "Dumont Guards," ostensibly to aid them in carrying out their designs; And, whereas, it is understood, as well from intimations in the press as from other sources of information, that said organization proposes to establish a system of espoinage upon the conduct of peaceful and respectable citizens, threatening their lives and the destruction of their property, if their conduct does not accord with the arbitrary standard erected by them; And, whereas, in one instance, the Governor has found it necessary to protect the property of citizens of this city against the threats of the said "Vigilance Committee," by mounting a large guard of soldiers for the purpose; therefore, Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by this House, with power to send for persons and papers, and to examine witnesses under oath, touching the existence, membership and objects of said committee, and that said committee be instructed to sit from day to day until said examination is completed, and to report to the House the evidence that may be elicited. Which, On motion, Was laid on the table. Mr. Bingham offered the following resolution. Resolved, That the injunction of secresy resting upon the proceedings of the House of Representatives, of the 27th day of April ultimo, is removed so far as to admit the publication of the action with closed doors that day on the bill No. 12, and the joint resolution submitted by Mr. Lane. Which was adopted. Mr. Williams offered the following resolution : Resolved, That the House, with the Senate concurring therein, adjourn on Thursday the 9th inst., to re-assemble on Tuesday the 28th inst., the members to receive no per diem during such recess, but to receive their mileage. Mr. Smith of Bartholomew offered the following amendment: Amend by inserting the "21st," instead of the "28th." The resolution and amendment were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Fisher offered the following instructions to the committee: To inquire as to whether the time between the day of adjournment and of assembling will be counted as a part of the forty days which the Legislature is allowed to remain in session. Mr. Veatch asked and obtained leave to introduce, House bill No. 34. A bill fixing the terms of office of the Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane, and the Asylums for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, and providing when the elections therefor shall be held. Which was read a first time. Mr. Bundy moved to suspend the rules, and read the bill a second time by its title now. The ayes and noes being taken under the Constitution, Those who voted in the affirmative were, Messrs. Bryan, Bundy, Campbell, Cason, Collins of Adams, Combs, Crain, Davis, Dobbins, Edson, Epperson, Erwin, Feagler, Ferguson, Fisher, Fleming, Ford, Fordyce, Fraley, Gifford, Goar, Hall, Haworth, Hayes, Henricks, Horton, Howard, Hudson, Hurd, Jones of Tippecanoe, Jones of Vermillion, Jones of Wayne, Kendrick, Kitchen, Lods, Lane, Lee, Lightner, McClurg, McLean, Moss, Mutz, Nebeker, Orr, Owens, Packard, Parrett, Pitts, Polk, Prow, Ragan, Robbins, Sherman, Smith of Bartholomew, Trier, Thomas, Turner, Veatch, Warrum, Wells, Wilson, Woodhull, Woods and Mr. Speaker -65. No quorum voting. So the rules were not suspended. On motion, The House adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. |